6 tips for Happiness

Eat well – you really are what you eat

A healthy diet is essential when you consider that the cells that make up our body constantly get replaced, it is important that you provide the nutrients your body needs to make good functioning healthy new cells. Hormones and neurotransmitters which make you feel happy and balanced are made from the food you eat. Nutritional deficiencies can and do affect your mood so ensure you eat some protein, loads of colourful veggies/salads and good fats at every meal. Eg. Salmon with broccoli and sweet potato or spinach & mushroom omelette.

Stay connected

Results from a 75-year study on what makes a good life found that people who are more socially connected to family, friends and community, are happier and physically healthier, they also live longer. Good relationships are protective to your health so nurture good relationships/friendships.1

Gratitude

Keep a gratitude diary, every morning write at least three things that you are grateful for. If you are finding it hard to feel grateful remember that if you have a home, fresh water, hot water and electricity, then you have something to be grateful for! A gratitude practice sets you up in a positive mindset for the day and for life in general. Energetically a gratitude/abundance mentality attracts more abundance and more things to be grateful for, an attitude of scarcity attracts more of the same.

Manage stress

Stress is what is making many of us miserable and a big driver behind the increase in serious health issues. It is vitally important to learn how to manage your stress. All of the tips here about happiness will also help reduce your stress levels. You can’t change the fact that life can be stressful, however, you can change the way you respond to it.

Move your body

Exercise is a proven way to reduce/remove your stress hormones and toxins from the body and increase your happy endorphins. Choose something you enjoy doing eg. walking, dancing, running, swimming, yoga or tennis etc. Moving out in nature has an added benefit, being out in nature and fresh air is very healing!

Schedule in fun

When was the last time that you did something for fun? Many of us feel guilty about taking time for ourselves that doesn’t seem useful or constructive. Having fun is vital for your physical and mental health. It also helps us feel relaxed and less stressed and therefore more able to have better relationships and connections in our life. Even if you can only take 15 minutes a day, you can’t afford not to. Life is too short, do what you enjoy, do what you love, it may be listening/playing music, craft, art, listening to or reading a novel, spending time in nature, whatever works for you.